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Essential oil information – list of essential oil aromas, properties and uses

Essential Oils

Essential oils are liquids that have been distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots or other parts of a plant. Though they're referred to as oils, they're actually not “oily” at all – rather, they're usually clear, though some do have a slight amber or yellow color. Aromatherapy treatments use these oils to relieve a number of common ailments, and because the oils are highly concentrated, a little bit goes a long way. Below is a list of some of some essential oil some properties, aromas and uses.

Anise

• Aroma: sweet, reminiscent of licorice
• Properties and uses: Aids muscle aches, respiratory problems

Balsam Peru

• Aroma: Fresh and earthy
• Properties and uses: soothes chapped or chafed skin

Basil

• Aroma: sweet, reminiscent of licorice
• Properties and uses: refreshes and invigorates body and mind; good for stress

Bergamot

• Aroma: citrus, a little floral
• Properties and uses: Relaxes and uplifts, good for depression, good for oily or blemished skin

Cardamum

• Aroma: sweet and spicy
• Properties and uses: Refreshes, good for stress

Carrot Seed

• Aroma: earthy, woody
• Properties and uses: tones mature skin

Cedarwood, Atlas

• Aroma: sweet and woody, a little bit of camphor
• Properties and uses: Respiratory problems, oily skin, hair products

Chamomile

• Aroma: sweet and fruity
• Properties and uses: soothing effect on body and mind

Cinnamon

• Aroma: a little peppery and spicy
• Properties and uses: Stress, rheumatism, arthritis

Clary Sage

• Aroma: nutty and earthy
• Properties and uses: Soothes, relaxes away stress

Clove Bud

• Aroma: warm but bitter
• Properties and uses: Good for tooth aches and respiratory problems

Coriander

• Aroma: sweet and spicy, a little fruity
• Properties and uses: Good for muscle aches and arthritis

Cypress

• Aroma: smoky, reminiscent of evergreens
• Properties and uses: Natural deodorant, good for treating perspiration and menstrual cramps

Dill

• Aroma: sweet and a little earthy
• Properties and uses: Calms, soothes, good for digestive problems

Eucalyptus

• Aroma: fresh but a little medicinal, slightly earthy
• Properties and uses: Respiratory problems, immune system boosting, tension reducer

Fennel

• Aroma: sweet, licorice-like
Properties and uses: Good for cellulite, flatulence

Frankincense

• Aroma: rich, spicy, woody
• Properties and uses: slows down breathing and helps respiratory problems, good for caring for mature skin

Geranium

• Aroma: flowery and very fresh
• Properties and uses: good balance for women's hormones, skin care

Ginger

• Aroma: spicy and earthy
• Properties and uses: Excellent for aching muscles and nausea

Grapefruit

• Aroma: fresh, slightly bitter citrus
• Properties and uses: Good toning effect on skin, treatment of cellulite

Juniper Berry

• Aroma: crisp, refreshing, earthy
• Properties and uses: good for digestive system, helps with overeating and obesity, gout, rheumatism

Lavender

• Aroma: very floral, sweet
• Properties and uses: Relaxing, and also useful in treating wounds, burns, and skin care

Lemon

• Aroma: fresh and citrusy
• Properties and uses: Very uplifting, yet relaxing. Helpful in treating wounds, infections, and house cleaning and deodorizing.

Lemongrass

• Aroma: lemony sweet aroma
• Properties and uses: excellent astringent and deodorant

Marjoram

• Aroma: sweet, woody odor
• Properties and uses: comforts, relaxes, good for general aches and pains

Myrrh

• Aroma: Rich and smoky
• Properties and uses: good for respiratory problems, mouth and gum problems

Nutmeg

• Aroma: spicy, sweet and woody
• Properties and uses: muscle aches, poor circulation, slow digestion

Orange, Sweet

• Aroma: fresh and citrusy
• Properties and uses: colds, slow digestion, stress

Patchouli

• Aroma: musky and very earthy
• Properties and uses: skin problems, stress

Peppermint

• Aroma: minty and fresh
• Properties and uses: good for headaches and digestive problems like indigestion and flatulence.

Pine, Scotch

• Aroma: Fresh and woody
• Properties and uses: respiratory problems

Rose

• Aroma: very floral
• Properties and uses: depression, stress, eczema

Rosemary

• Aroma: herbaceous and sweet, a little medicinal
• Properties and uses: Very good for muscle aches and tension.

Rosewood

• Aroma: floral and sweet
• Properties and uses: colds, infections, dry skin, frigidity

Sandalwood

• Aroma: woody
• Properties and uses: tension, depression, respiratory problems

Spearmint

• Aroma: minty, vaguely fruity aroma
• Properties and uses: digestive and respiratory problems

Spruce

• Aroma: fresh and woody, sweet
• Properties and uses: respiratory problems, depression

Tangerine

• Aroma: sweet and citrusy
• Properties and uses: soothing, calming, good for digestive system

Thyme

• Aroma: sweet, fresh herbal smell
• Properties and uses: muscle aches, colds and immune system problems

Violet Leaf

• Aroma: green and earthy, floral
• Properties and uses: respiratory problems, poor circulation, stress

Ylang Ylang

• Aroma: very strong, sweet, floral smell
• Properties and uses: encourages relaxation; antidepressant